'The more complex the issue, the more fun the challenge'

Waterproofing and concrete remediation solutions.

"A complex waterproofing and concrete remediation issue? Then our interest is piqued." So says Hans Bos, business manager of the Belgian company Special Industrial Repair (SIR), a medium-sized company that has proven its services within the industry for over thirty years. The combination of a strong product and solid craftsmanship ensures grandiose results time after time.

"Flexibility, short lines of communication and being close to the customer. That is important to us," says Bos. As business manager, Bos is closely involved in the projects, and he has two feet in the business, or even both feet in the clay. "They can always call me if a serious solution is needed." That enormous commitment and always being on standby is a fact of life, SIR's regular customers know that, too. "Our customers feel that the S of Special in our name also stands for attention. A personal approach, open and honest communication." Arno van Balen, general manager at SIR: "We like to enter into partnerships. Both with our customers and with our suppliers, because 1+1=3." For example, SIR also has close contacts with a number of engineering firms. "They call us and say 'I now have something again ... think with us.' That intrigues us. The more complex the issue, the more fun the challenge." Bos: "The riskiest works take a lot of time, but we like to invest in that. Where someone else stops, we start. We think in solutions, never in problems." The projects show what SIR is capable of. "But you have to be able to sustain your own philosophy," Bos believes. "You can grow enormously but it is much more important to secure your return and knowledge while continuing to look ahead," Van Balen adds. "We don't want to be the biggest, we want to be the best."

"On the one hand, we are a very traditional company, with short lines and personal attention. No chat boxes or menus on the phone ... less is more as far as we are concerned. But on the other hand, we are also a modern company in which plenty of new techniques are used. That is important to be able to execute large projects properly. Because quality always comes first with us," Bos assures. "Our products have a QR code with which the product's safety and technical sheet can be consulted. Because it is linked to our system, the validity of the equipment's inspection can be checked immediately. However, quality also means that we always ask for a lot of project information in order to be able to paint a correct picture and give good advice. Everything is clear to us in advance: risk analyses, inspection plans, etc. We are really one step ahead in this respect. That kind of transparency removes a lot of noise." The projects are also well monitored during execution. This prevents many discussions and wrong choices by the ever-changing site managers and project leaders who often want to reinvent the wheel. "Because we go to the extreme, in our thinking, advice and commitment, a lot of misery is prevented. And then sometimes we are our own competitor. After all, repairing is our job, but preventing damage is just as important to us, and for that too we have the knowledge and expertise in-house."

SIR is constantly working on innovative technological developments. "Sustainability is of course the future, which is why we are introducing environmentally friendly products that are, for example, extremely suitable for floors where food is handled. The product is also in recyclable packaging and does not cause any odors during application. With a pH value of 0-14, this is truly unique in the market." The same is true of solvent-free injection products. "Furthermore, we are working on the application of spray concrete, ideal for large concrete damages or for increasing required coverage and slablifting, an eco-friendly form of concrete repair that involves leveling by injection." Bos concludes, "We are ready for the future. In doing so, we like to think out-of-the-box so that we get to the bottom of the customer's question and make an appropriate and economically interesting proposal."